* It was LeFebre's first MLB at-bat and the only home run of his career. He was a pitcher, allowing eight hits and six runs in the last four innings of Boston's 15-2 loss.

** Harrelson had already played for the Washington Senators and Kansas City Athletics in 1967 before signing with the Red Sox. The Yankees won this game 4-3 in 20 innings -- the longest game ever played between the two teams. Bob Tillman (see below) was the Yankees' catcher.

*** Kennedy was also a pinch-hitter (like Repulski) and his home run was an inside-the-park dong.

But the Yahoo list included someone I did not have in my post: Bob Tillman, who hit a home run for the Red Sox in his first MLB at-bat, on May 19, 1962.

But Tillman made his actual debut on April 15, as a pinch-hitter. He walked, then did not see any big league action until he caught the top of the ninth inning on May 16. Three days later, he started and batted 4th. He walked in his first trip to the plate that day, then led off the fourth with a dong. So, while it was his first at-bat, it was his third plate appearance -- and it came more than a month after his debut.

7 comments:

Holy Moley!This was so exciting. I'd give anything to have been able to see it. I was watching the bottom line at the bar when I saw the graphic about the homer. Then it came around again and the gu beside me said "Did that say on the first pitch?!" I watched again and when I saw it myself confiscated the remote and tried to find a Baseball Tonight or similar highlight show. Instead I ended up waiting and getting my info from where I usually do - JoS!

I was listening to MLB Audio with headphones at work, and burst out laughing. Had to tell my co-workers what happened, then kept updating them - his parents are there, only the second person to ever do this, etc. They don't even follow baseball and they were happy and excited. You can't help but share the joy.

That his parents were there, and the Erin Andrews story, make it even better.

Which to attend? That's tough. I like the 1 parent at each. I tend to lean toward the graduation just because I always stress education over sports with my kids, and with my "kids". But a ML debut is truly a much rarer accomplishment than a graduation. Maybe it would depend on how hard the child had to work to make the graduation happen, and whether another graduation (higher degree) was in the offing